Microsoft will be making available an integrated VoIP, email, video conferencing, and instant messaging package early next year. It’s your one stop communication solution, so to speak. The package will integrate into the Windows Operating System, as well as some desktop and server software. Expect it to offer integration into Outlook and Internet Explorer, among other possibilities.

This is certainly a significant announcement, as Microsoft is adding its considerable resources to the battle for offering integrated online communications. It is also a very busy time for Microsoft, with its upcoming high profile releases of Office 2007 and Windows Vista.

The announcement was made my Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer at a conference in Japan on Monday.

Source: InformationWeek